The Egg Sellers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (ESDAN) has dismissed allegations by poultry farmers that traders are responsible for the recent surge in egg prices across the country.

Speaking in Lagos, ESDAN President Mrs. Olaide Graham described the farmers’ accusations as “baseless and misleading,” insisting that egg sellers are not behind the price hikes.

According to Graham, a crate of eggs currently sells for about ₦5,500, a price she argued still makes eggs one of the most affordable sources of protein for Nigerian families compared to meat and fish.

“Eggs remain the cheapest source of protein despite rising costs in other food commodities,” Graham said. “We operate under tough market conditions, and it’s unfair to blame sellers for factors beyond our control.”

The association explained that egg sellers face numerous challenges, including unstable supply, transportation costs, and product perishability, all of which limit their profit margins. ESDAN added that several attempts to collaborate with poultry farmers to stabilize prices had failed.

While ESDAN blames high production and operational costs for the current situation, poultry farmers maintain that the rising cost of feed and raw materials particularly maize and soybeans continues to drive up egg production expenses.

Both parties, however, agree that without government intervention to regulate input costs and improve the agricultural supply chain, egg prices may continue to fluctuate in the coming months.